Postage metering system

ABSTRACT

A postage metering system for applying indicia including postage value on mail items, the system including: a keyboard for inputting information; a printer for printing indicia; an accounting module for accounting for postage value applied to mail items; and a security module for requiring a user to input an operating code prior to further operation of the system, the security module being configured to compare the input operating code with at least one stored valid operating code, and, where the input operating code and any stored operating code do not match, one or both of log data relating to such use and report such use to a security center.

This application is a national phase of International Application No.PCT/GB03/00395 filed Jan. 31, 2003 and published in the Englishlanguage.

The present invention relates to the security of a postage meteringsystem, and in particular a postage metering system which requires theinput of an operating code prior to printing indicia, and moreparticularly the input of a valid operating code prior to printingindicia.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide a postage meteringsystem which provides for improved or at least alternative security.

In one aspect the present invention provides a postage metering systemfor applying indicia including postage value on mail items, the systemincluding: a keyboard for inputting information; a printer for printingindicia; an accounting module for accounting for postage value appliedto mail items; and a security module for requiring a user to input anoperating code prior to further operation of the system, the securitymodule being configured to compare the input operating code with atleast one stored valid operating code, and, where the input operatingcode and any stored operating code do not match, deny use of the systemand one or both of log data relating to each such attempted use andreport each such attempted use to a security center.

Preferably, the security module includes a memory for storing the atleast one valid operating code.

Preferably, the at least one valid operating code comprises a personalidentification number.

Preferably, the security module includes a memory for storing a datarecord of such attempted use.

In one embodiment the reporting occurs automatically in response to suchattempted use.

In another embodiment the reporting occurs at intervals.

In another aspect the present invention provides a postage meteringsystem for applying indicia including postage value on mail items, thesystem including: a keyboard for inputting information; a printer forprinting indicia; an accounting module for accounting for postage valueapplied to mail items; and a security module for requiring a user toinput an operating code prior to further operation of the system, thesecurity module being configured to compare the input operating codewith at least one stored valid operating code, and, where the inputoperating code and any stored operating code do not match and printingof an indicium is requested, cause the printer in a printing operationto print an indicium having a zero postage value and one or both of logdata relating to such operation and report such operation to a securitycenter.

Preferably, the security module includes a memory for storing the atleast one valid operating code.

Preferably, the at least one valid operating code comprises a personalidentification number.

Preferably, the accounting module is operative to account for postagevalue even when an invalid operating code has been input and the postagevalue applied to a mail item is at zero value.

Preferably, the security module includes a memory for storing a datarecord of such printing operations.

In one embodiment the reporting occurs automatically in response to anysuch printing operation.

In another embodiment the reporting occurs at intervals.

In a further aspect the present invention provides a postage meteringsystem for applying indicia including postage value on mail items, thesystem including: a keyboard for inputting information; a printer forprinting indicia; an accounting module for accounting for postage valueapplied to mail items; and a security module for requiring a user toinput an operating code prior to further operation of the system, thesecurity module being configured to compare the input operating codewith at least one stored valid operating code, and, where the inputoperating code and any stored operating code do not match, allow normalprinting of indicia including postage value and one or both of log datarelating to such use and report such use to a security center.

Preferably, the security module is configured one or both of to log datarelating to such use and report such use to a security center whenprinting of an indicium is requested.

Preferably, the security module includes a memory for storing the atleast one valid operating code.

Preferably, the at least one valid operating code comprises a personalidentification number.

Preferably, the security module includes a memory for storing a datarecord of such use.

In one embodiment the reporting occurs automatically in response to anysuch use.

In another embodiment the reporting occurs at intervals.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be describedhereinbelow by way of example only with reference to the accompanyingdrawing, in which:

FIG. 1 diagrammatically illustrates a postage metering system inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The postage metering system comprises a microprocessor 3, a read-onlymemory (ROM) 5 storing program routines for operation of themicroprocessor 3, and a random-access memory (RAM) 7 for use as aworking store for the temporary storage of data during operation of thesystem.

1. A postage metering system for applying indicia including postagevalue on mail items, the system including: a keyboard for inputtinginformation; a printer for printing indicia; an accounting module foraccounting for postage value applied to mail items; and a securitymodule for requiring a user to input an operating code prior to furtheroperation of the system, the security module being configured to comparethe input operating code with at least one stored valid operating code,and, where the input operating code and any stored operating code do notmatch, allow normal printing of indicia including postage value and oneor both of log data relating to such use and report such use to asecurity center.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the security moduleis configured one or both of to log data relating to such use and reportsuch use to a security center when printing of an indicium is requested.3. The system of claim 1, wherein the security module includes a memoryfor storing the at least one valid operating code.
 4. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one valid operating code comprises apersonal identification number.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein thesecurity module includes a memory for storing a data record of such use.6. The system of claim 1, wherein the reporting occurs automatically inresponse to any such use.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein thereporting occurs at intervals.